GLAAD took time off from planning its next awards ceremony to play national scold, charging director Ron Howard with contributing to anti-gay bullying.
In Howard’s new film “The Dilemma,” a character played by Vince Vaughn says “electric cars are gay” then explains that he doesn’t mean “homosexual, gay, but, you know, my parents are chaperoning the dance, gay.”
Are you kidding me? Once again, GLAAD saves its indignation for something trivial. Check out their over-the-top statement on the alleged controversy:
“At a time when so many in our country are speaking out against the bullying of gay youth, Universal was right to acknowledge the offensive nature of this ‘joke’ when it removed it from trailers,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “Unfortunately, by leaving it in the movie, they are now contributing to the problem. The conversations started as a result of the community’s response to this slur will help schools, media and parents understand the impact of the word ‘gay’ being used as a pejorative. Hopefully in the future, Universal and Ron Howard will recognize the power of their words and use their films to bring people together rather than drive us apart.”
I’m with Opie:
“I defend the right for some people to express offense at a joke as strongly as I do the right for that joke to be in a film. But if storytellers, comedians, actors and artists are strong armed into making creative changes, it will endanger comedy as both entertainment and a provoker of thought.”
Related Articles
- Ron Howard: Gay Gag Stays in ‘The Dilemma’ (abcnews.go.com)
Remember that old queer joke…”That’s what I want, recognition.”